Humbled By History

In an ultimate game of archaeological hide and seek, the Ancestral Pueblo People established themselves in palatial cliff dwellings in what is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mese Verde: the modern day ‘humility through history’ experience. (Not mentioned anywhere on the park information or brochures!)

Climbing down a rickety wooden ladder on the ranger lead tour, we are confronted with our modern day insignificance emanating from the eerie ‘Cliff Palace’. The largest multi storied, sophisticated cliff dwelling in the park, now a ruin.  It boasts 150 rooms and 23 kivas (religious spaces), dating back more than 700 years. Toil, ingenuity, foresight, adaptability, sustainability and community are the mortar ingredients for the palace’s sandstone, wooden beam construction. Mortar which held them together in these dwellings for 100 years, saw them transform from foragers to agriculturalists, and eventually mysteriously abandon their dwellings.

Trekking the stony, sweaty Petroglyph Point Trail, their mystery further engraved and etched as stories onto rock surfaces. Perhaps the story of the Mountain Sheep and Eagle Clan, or their spiritual pathway to enlightenment. An ancient fresco capturing the past, giving depth to the present, offering a faithful representation of hope for tomorrow.

If sandstone structures murmur collectivism, spirituality and endeavour; a period classified, “Basket Maker” by archaeologists, reflecting Puebloan expertise in crafting baskets. What will concrete structures whisper? Walls, wars and wasted opportunities? A timeline of transience and disequilibrium -“Basket Case”? Or engineering and environmental feats celebrating collaboration, unity, enterprise and stewardship?  Frescoes of a gained humility through history?

Cowboys and archaeologists uncovering this ancient Mesa Verde: Green Plateau, stumbled upon great riches of yesterday and a roadmap for tomorrow. Ascending the last of the ladders out of the dwellings, a message loud and clear:  “Bow before the Ancient of Days”, “Your kingdom shall not pass away” (Shane Barnard). Something to add to the brochures.